Programs
The Links, Incorporated is an organization of accomplished, dedicated women who are active in your community. The Links members are news-makers, role models, mentors, activists and volunteers who work toward the realization of making the name “Links” not only a chain of friendship, but also a chain of purposeful service. The outstanding programming of The Links, Incorporated has five facets which include Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services and Health and Human Services. The programs are implemented through strategies such as public information and education, economic development, and public policy campaigns. The Denver Links designs and delivers programs in the greater Denver community in each of the five facets.
Program highlights include:
Early Reading & Mentoring Program at Hallett Academy: The program exposes approximately 100 preschool and kindergarten students at Hallett Academy, a majority Black elementary school in Denver, to a greater number of words by using volunteer readers to help lay the foundation for future education success. The goal is for these volunteers to help the students to gain a love of books and reading. The students are also given free books every month to help build home libraries. The program is a partnership between the Denver (CO) Chapter, Park Hill United Methodist Church and Book Trust.
Girl Fierce, Mindfully Free : The Denver (CO) Chapter created a community education event targeting young girls of color, grades 5-8. In 2021, the topic focused on increasing positive mental and physical health and self-esteem. Over 30 girls attend the one-day virtual event.
Helping Hands 2 Haiti: The Denver (CO) Chapter supported the Harbor Area (CA) Chapter of The Links, Inc., with monetary donations which enabled the purchase of shoes, socks and under garments.
Links at the Theater : The Denver (CO) Chapter sponsors theater events for students and adults to increase cultural awareness and foster an appreciation for the arts.
LinksHelp for Humanity: Bahamas Relief Fund: The Denver (CO) Chapter supported the Nassau, Bahamas Chapter relief efforts with a monetary donation and sent a shipment of baby formula, nipples for formula, socks, and hygiene items.
Project L.E.A.D.: The program was created for Black girls, 6-8 grades, at Omar D. Blair Charter School, a majority minority K-8 school. It provides monthly modules that support and/or improve academics, health, cultural, social awareness and career development to help these middle school girls better succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Twenty-seven students participate in the program.
SERVICES TO YOUTH
Services to Youth facet is an integrated approach to preparing young people to succeed in the 21st century workforce. The primary goals of this facet are to promote early literacy, implement local mentoring programs and close the achievement gap from kindergarten through college, introduce and support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) education and career readiness, implement college readiness programs, increase high school and college graduation rates, award college scholarships and build educational endowments and promote and support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
THE ARTS
The goal of The Arts facet is to increase and expand art activity, and elevate our programs through arts integration and effectively create an arts renaissance within our organization and programmatic efforts. Throughout the nation today, Links Chapters partner with museums, symphonies, arts councils, educational institutes and corporations in order to support art programs, especially where there is a focus on artists of color. Links are creating and supporting opportunities for educating minority youth in the arts and presenting and supporting performances by youth and accomplished professional artists in a diversity of disciplines.
NATIONAL TRENDS & SERVICES
The vision of the National Trends and Services facet is to eliminate disparities by reducing barriers to services through advocacy, education, and service. Our mission is to empower our chapters to effectively empower the communities in which we work.
INTERNATIONAL TRENDS & SERVICES
The mission of the International Trends and Services facet is to expand the global platform for programs designed and developed to service the educational, health and cultural needs of people of African descent throughout the world. All programmatic components of the facet are delivered through measurable and sustainable service delivery methods that reach women and their families.
The foremost goal of the International Trends and Services facet is to provide opportunities for tangible service in other countries. Our "boots on the ground" approach provides for more personalized methods for assisting and improving the lives of women, children and men worldwide through long-term programs committed to empowerment and public policy leadership in advocating for social justice.
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
The Links, Incorporated established the Health and Human Services facet in response to the chronic health disparities that persist in our communities and result in the decreased life expectancy of African-Americans. This facet brings greater focus, resources, and coordination to The Links, Incorporated’s health initiatives already in existence. The mission of the Health and Human Services facet is to promote and facilitate programs that support the maintenance of good health and the elimination of chronic health disparities in communities of color through education, health advocacy, and optimal utilization of health resources. Community education about health risks is crucial and The Links, Incorporated can play a significant role in providing it.